Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: explaining the creation of tension
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the plot and explain how tension builds to a climactic moment.
Key learning points
- Martha tells Stig about her supernatural abilities.
- Martha's mother tells them to leave the cabin immediately, making the reader feel apprehensive for them.
- Tension increases as they discover the murdered bodies of Yrsa and Olav and hear another howl.
- Tension is the feeling of suspense and excitement that keeps readers interested.
- Time conjunctions can be used to explain a writer's development of tension.
Keywords
Sombre - deep seriousness or sadness
Skeletal - like a skeleton
Anguish - extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering
Shrouded - cover with a cloth after a person has died for burial
Entity - a thing or existence
Common misconception
Tension is only about scary or dangerous situations.
While scary or dangerous situations can create tension, tension can also arise from emotional conflicts, difficult decisions, or unresolved mysteries. It's about keeping readers eager to know what will happen next.
Teacher tip
At the beginning of Learning Cycle 2, you could ask pupils about their own experiences of tension in other forms, such as: films, computer games or other literary works.
Equipment
You will need access to the text 'The Twisted Tree' by Rachel Burge, published by Hot Key Books, 2019.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Twisted Tree', which Norse god is Martha potentially descended from?
Q2.Match the character from 'The Twisted Tree' to the correct description of them.
Q3.Starting with the first, put the plot points from 'The Twisted Tree' in chronological order.
Q4.Which word can be described as 'a foul smell from rotting matter'?
Q5.'The Twisted Tree' is written from Martha's perspective. This type of narrative perspective is called ...
Q6.Which word beginning with 'p', can be used to describe the main character in a story?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Twisted Tree' which two characters are found murdered at the end of Chapter 14?
Q2.Which word would not be considered an antonym for the word 'macabre'?
Q3.In 'The Twisted Tree' the chapters end with shocking revelations and new threats, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. This is an example of a ...
Q4.Which sentence does not use a time conjunction?
Q5.Which answer best describes the word 'tension'?
Q6.Match the correct time conjunctions to the part of the chapter in a novel it can be used to explore.
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: explaining the creation of tension, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: explaining the creation of tension, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.